Court and Livery Dinner, Watermen's Hall, 29 January

The Company's January Court and Livery Dinner was held in the delightful 18th century Georgian surroundings of Watermen's Hall - home to the Company of Watermen and Lightermen. Forty-five Bowyers and their guests enjoyed a convivial evening dining to the musical accompaniment of a string duo from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

Following the traditional sung grace, the ceremony of the Loving Cup, and the usual toasts, Senior Past Master Clive Arding proposed the toast to our Liverymen. In his speech he reflected on his fifty years in the Livery - in recognition of which the Master presented him with a framed certificate. Responding, Liveryman Mark Benstead delivered a witty account of his career and his journey into the Livery.
Reporting from the Court meeting, which had preceded the dinner, the Master congratulated Robert Lang-Anderson on being clothed in the Livery and welcomed Lt Col Mike Dyos and Marc Grady who had been admitted as Freemen of the Company.

He wished David Laxton, Nigel Heilpern and Sir David Wootton well on their election to Master, Upper Warden and Renter Warden respectively.